Lastovsko Islands

Talaria at anchor

 Lastovsko is actually an archipelago of forty six different, remote islands.  The island chain is fairly far from the mainland and sparsely populated.  Folks visit for the beauty, tranquility and remoteness of the islands.  

Lostovo Island

We spent a nice three days on the main island of Lostovo and loved it.  Far from the multitudes of charter boats and mayhem we found it to be quiet and peaceful.  The first day we anchored near a little town which was nice for walking around but not quite what we were looking for.

 

Lighthouse on Lostovo

So the next day we went over to the other side of the island and anchored in this lovely little bay.  There were only a couple of other boats around with plenty of space between us. Ahh... finally - peace and quiet. Then just as we were getting all settled in and preparing some lunch we heard someone outside hollering for us.  We went out to find a kid (20 something) swimming by our boat.  He said are you from Portland, Oregon, which is what is says on our boat.  We proceeded to explain that while we are not from Oregon that is where the boat originated.  As it turns out he is from Santa Barbara!  

WWII Bunkers

He and a few others had signed up with an Italian guy named Luigi to help him sail his boat in the Adriatic and over to Greece.  Later that evening Michael went in the dinghy to pick up the Santa Barbara fellow and his Swiss friend for a little music jam session.  Both boys played guitar, as does MIchael, so it was a fun evening for everyone.

Sailing around the island

 

The next day Luigi and company left and we went for a hike up to the lighthouse.  Sitting alone on the hill, the lighthouse has been converted to a little house that is privately owned so we did not go up their driveway.  We just enjoyed the walk and views along the way.  Later that day while back on the boat we heard more people outside.  Turns out there were two Croatian children that swam out to our boat.  The little boy was about ten or eleven and his little sister was maybe seven.  Apparently, they often swim out to boats in the bay.  He likes to practice his English and she likes to jump off the boats into the water.  Not something that would likely happen in the US as we are so distrustful of everyone.  But no-one there seemed to mind that they had popped out for a visit.  Theirs is a different, more relaxed culture which for us is a pleasant change.